Subject: History
Category: Modern History
Topic: The Third Carnatic War

NCERT notes on important topics for the UPSC civil services exam. These notes will also be useful for other competitive exams like banking PO, SSC, state civil services exams and so on. This article talks about The Third Carnatic War.

The Seven Year’s War broke out in Europe and once again England and France were pitted against one another.

After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, the British forces wrested Chandannagar (in Bengal) from the French.

The French, under Count de Lally captured Fort St. George and attacked the English to acquire Madras.

But he was defeated by English forces under Sir Eyre Coote in the Battle of Wandiwash in 1760.

The French lost their Indian possessions including Pondicherry, Mahe, Gingee and Karaikal to the British.

The war ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

As per the Treaty, Chandannagar and Pondicherry were returned to France but they were barred from fortifying them or having troops in them. They could only have trading activities.

Third Carnatic War Results

Effects of the Third Carnatic War

French hopes of building an empire in India were completely dashed.

This established Britain as the paramount European power in India. The path was clear for the establishment of a British colonial rule in India.

Reasons for French failure

Superior naval strength of the British. They could bring in soldiers from Europe and also provide supplies from Bengal. The French did not have any such avenue to replenish resources.

Britain had Madras, Bombay and Calcutta – three important posts. In contrast, the French had only one strong post, Pondicherry. This meant that if Pondicherry was captured, the French had little hope of recovery. But Britain could rely on any of the other two bases if one was captured.

The victory at the Battle of Plassey opened up the British to a rich area, namely Bengal.

The British had many capable and able soldiers like Robert Clive, Stringer Lawrence and Sir Eyre Coote.